Description

Hopi Blue Corn - Add Some Color to Your Flour

An ancient flint corn that is a traditional staple of the Hopi people in Northern Arizona. Plants are 5' tall and bushy with beautiful smooth silvery blue ears that are 8-10" long and usually 2 per stalk. Kernels are ivory colored until dry-down, when they develop their stunning blue-black luster.

Robust, drought-tolerant cultivar selected over many generations. Heap soil around the developing stems to prohibit lodging (falling over in strong wind).

History

Corn is one of the Meso American’s earliest and greatest achievements. It allowed the Mayan, Aztec and Inca civilizations to flourish, among others, and was spread across the world through trade. Historical evidence shows corn was grown from South and Central America to the southern reaches of what is now Canada, and across the breadth of the United States.

Uses

Can be eaten as sweet corn when picked young and roasted, but is best known for making an excellent, sweet blue corn flour that has 30% higher protein levels than dent corns. Traditional cornmeal porridge or corn bread from home-grown Hopi Blue is a transformational experience that is deeply satisfying. Also makes a great fall decoration with the stunning silvery blue-black ears.

Growing Tip

Planting 4-row blocks ensures better pollination than 2 long rows. Corn is ready when the silk on the ears is brown. Old timers say to get the barbeque hot as you go out to pick corn. The sooner it is cooked the tastier it is, and roasting it is heavenly!

1 Review

5

5 feet tall? Not with Mel's Mix!

Posted by Ernie, AZ on Jul 21st 2017

Germination rates were exceptional but my stalks are over 9 feet tall. I planted Kentucky Pole Beans with the corn Nitrogen source in Mel's Mix and they took off. Ears are beautiful and I cant wait for them to dry so I can grind some up and start using the corn meal! These were planted 4 per square so pollination is great too.